Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders six wickets in a game that went right down to the wire as they beat the side in purple by six wickets. In the process, they played a spoilsport in KKR’s campaign as they have almost knocked out the two-time IPL champions. They can get to a maximum of 14 points if they win the last game, which might not be enough to take them to the last four.

CSK won the toss and opted to bowl first. Courtesy of Nitish Rana (87) and Shubman Gill (26) KKR had their best powerplay this season. Rana kept batting well in the middle overs and courtesy Eoin Morgan (15 off 12)and Dinesh Karthik ( 21 off 10), KKR reached a par score of 172. For CSK Lungi Ngidi picked two wickets as Mitchell Santner, Karn Sharma and Ravindra picked one each.

Kolkata Knight Riders Dented By Ravindra Jadeja

Chasing a stiff target of 173 to win, Ruturaj Gaikwad (72) scored his second fifty in two back to back games to keep Chennai in the hunt in the run-chase. He had a good partnership with Ambati Rayudu (38) as the pair added 68 in the middle overs. Rayudu was then dismissed in the 14th over. MS Dhoni was then dismissed by Varun Chakravarty in the very next over. Chakravarty accounted for the CSK skipper’s wicket for the second time in two games.

With 33 required from 16 balls after the ball of MS Dhoni’s wicket, Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson, went for 20 runs in the 19th over of the innings which shifted the balance of the game. Kamlesh Nagarkoti then needed to defend 10 runs from the final over. Ravindra Jadeja then smashed two back to back sixes in the final over to help CSK win the game. With this win, CSK get to 10 points from 13 matches with a match to go. He was unbeaten on 31 from 11 balls at the end.

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What Was the Turning Point in the Game?

Lockie Ferguson’s 19th over which went for 20 runs proved to be the turning point in the game. Kolkata Knight Riders spinners Sunil Narine ( None for 23) and Varun Chakravarty ( 2 for 20) bowled very well in the middle overs to help KKR have full control of the game. However, Lockie’s 19th over took all the advantage away from the SRK-owned side.

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 72 off 53 balls to help CSK win the game. This was his second fifty in back to back games, as the youngster proved his mettle at the highest level.

“It is feeling good. Pretty confident as well. I have backed myself. Both the innings when I got out early, I knew the situation was a little tough. Covid has made me tough. As our captain says, face every situation with a smile. I stayed positive and didn’t think much about the future” said Ruturaj after his match-winning knock.

KKR still have a chance to qualify for the IPL 2020 playoffs if they win their last game against Rajasthan Royals on November 1. They will also need KXIP to lose both their games, or at least one to make their road easier. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians became the first team to make the IPL 2020 playoffs.

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